isent the point of a limited slip differential forcing both wheels to spin, rather than one spin and the other one (thats actually getting a grip) not moving at all?

reason as i ask i got stuck twice today, the second time i realized one tire would spin, and the other wouldent, if i put somethign under the tire to get a grip, it would stop spinning and the other one would start spinning.

what's going on here? iv got an 04 ram with the off road package.

the front wheels are doing it also when in 4x4. one would spin, the other wouldent, im not sure, but i think the front and rear alternated.

I SWEAR IF THE DEALER SCREWED ME ON THIS TOO IM GOING TO EXPLODE.

 

Sounds like it is working just fine. Thats the beauty of a limited slip... they lock up when it doesn't really matter, but open up when you really need it. Close to useless in my book... but they do have there place.

It is possible the clutches are worn out and due for replacement... that will make it open much easier. But, it is probably just working as it should

 

ok, then am i missig the point? i thought limited slip ment if one wheel is not getting traction, it would force both wheels to spin, thus the wheel that gets a grip would spin.

im getting the opposite, if my left wheel is on ice, it spins and spins and spins untill the ice is melted away, the wheel that is actually getting a grip on the road isent working at all.

meaning my truck wont move.

isent both wheels suppose to spin, allowing the tire thats getting a grip to move the truck, rather than all of the power goign to the wheel that isent getting a grip.

iv been riding around on the spare which is a little bigger, did i brake it?

 

from what im reading, i think i burned up the clutches.

however this does not explain why the front wheels did the same.

question: is the front when in 4x4 "limited slip" or is it more like an "open diff". i dont really know if the front even works like that, as far as i know it doe sent have a differential, to be honest i dotn know how front end tranmissions work.

 

The front has no limited slip unless you own a Power Wagon, as a matter of fact, if you own a 1500 (non Mega-Cab) you have an IFS truck, no such thing as a LSD for the front, so basically, you own a 3 wheel drive.

The stock LSD isn't a very high end unit, besides the dreaded "C-Clip" issue, it's of relatively low bias and has fairly weak clutches. If the clutches are still good, next time you get stuck, apply a little bit of brake with the gas to engage the LSD, also you can apply a little bit of e-brake instead of pressing on the brake pedal.
This will almost always get the LSD to engage, but it won't "LOCK UP" like a true locker, hence the name "LIMITED" Slip...

 

Typically, most vehicles have "open" differentials, meaning true power will only be sent to one tire at a time (which can fluctuate from side to side). This is how your front differential operates.

Your "limited slip" in the rear has the ability to put power to both wheels under most normal circumstances, except when turning or there is extreme grip to one tire. The limited slip differential (LSD) in your truck uses clutches, which can wear out over time and cause it to not "lock up".

SOOO, many 4x4 trucks are actually only 4x2's, as there is only one tire on each axle that is physically powered. There are many exceptions out there though, such as the 2500 Power Wagon, which have factory lockers front and rear for true 4x4.

 

I remember I used to test my old OEM LSD out on grass or loose soil from time to time and it always spun both wheels.

 

Yes, a working limited slip should definitely spin both tires in a low traction situation such as that.

Also, you can jack both back tires off the ground and spin one... if both tires spin in the same direction you have a limited slip (or a locker/spool ). If you spin one tire and the other moves in the opposite direction, than you have an open diff.

 

Same here.

Red